Master The Italian Opening
When starting the game with 1. e4, the Symmetrical King’s Pawn Opening (1. …e5) is one of Black’s most popular replies. After the most classical continuation 2. Nf3 Nc6, White is then faced with a major choice on move three. The two most common third moves for White are: 3. Bb5 (the Ruy Lopez - which we have written about previously), and 3. Bc4 (the Italian Opening - also known as the Italian Game).
White’s decision here is important, as it tends to lead to quite different middlegames:
- The Ruy Lopez (3. Bb5) is typically characterized by slow strategic maneuvering in the early going: a closed game.
- The Italian Opening (3. Bc4), on the other hand, often becomes an open game.
Which style suits you best depends on your strengths and preferences as a chess player.
In this article, we cover the Italian Opening. You will learn:
- The origins of the Italian Opening.
- Thematic ideas for White in the middlegame.
- How to further your education in this important opening system.
The Italian Opening / Italian Game - Introduction and Origins
The Italian Opening is one of the oldest openings in all of chess. It features in some of the earliest chess literature we have on record. This includes Pedro Damiano’s book published all the way back in 1512!
The fact that we are still playing the Italian Opening over 500 years later is a testament to the power of these strong, simple moves. After both sides stake a claim in the center and develop their knights logically, White places their light-squared bishop on an active square via Bc4.
Related: Tips To Improve Your Opening Study
With 3. Bc4, White achieves several useful objectives:
- The light-squared bishop is developed to a good diagonal, pointing towards Black’s naturally vulnerable f7 square.
- By developing the bishop quickly, White can choose to play d3 later without hindering the bishop’s ability to move outside of its own pawn chain.
- White is ready to castle - thus getting the king to safety.
The Italian Opening is one of the clearest examples of following the opening fundamentals.
- Fight for the center.
- Develop your pieces to active squares.
- Castle the king quickly.
For this reason, the Italian Opening is often one of the first openings taught to beginners. There is nothing complicated about the first few moves. They are easy to understand, even for those new to chess.
However, the Italian Opening is not just for beginners! Advanced players, titled players, and even elite grandmasters also play the Italian Opening. It truly is an opening suitable for all levels.
Thematic Ideas For White In The Italian Opening
Let us now check out some of the main ideas White can play in the Italian Opening - including thematic tactics and common strategic maneuvers.
By studying these, you will be more likely to be able to employ them in your own games!
c3: To Prepare d4
The most direct way for White to continue in the Italian Opening is with c3 followed by d4. This approach is recommended by former Women’s World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk.
By supporting the d4 advance with the c3 pawn, White gives themselves the option of recapturing on d4 with a pawn after Black plays exd4, thus establishing an ideal e4 + d4 pawn center.
A more aggressive way for White to continue is to advance with e5 immediately, instead of recapturing on d4 first.
In the below position, Black’s knight is threatened - but rather than move it out of harm’s way, Black’s best move is to counter with a threat of their own, with …d5 (attacking White’s bishop).
This line is well worth further investigation for those who enjoy complicated positions out of the opening, and who pride themselves on having a sharp tactical eye!
Related: Improve your tactical skills with Winning Chess Tactics, available from the USCF store.
Greco’s Rook Sacrifice
There are certain lines within the Italian Opening where White willingly sacrifices a pawn on c3 in order to castle quickly. White tries to prove that their lead in development and better king safety is worth their material deficit.
A famous example of this idea in action is shown below. Given that we are studying the Italian Opening, it is rather fitting that this position comes from a publication authored by an Italian player: Gioachino Greco, dated from the year 1620.
White’s rook on a1 is attacked, but rather than move it to safety with Rb1, Greco (with White) played Qb3! - abandoning the rook in order to create the concrete threat of Bxf7+.
Note that if Black were to defuse the threat posed by Bxf7+ by castling, then White would simply capture Black’s bishop with Qxc3, giving White an extra piece and winning advantage.
However, if Black instead captures the rook (as happened in the game), it leads to White gaining a devastating attack after Bxf7+ and Bg5 - as the game continuation shows.
In the above position, Black has an extra rook - but White is winning! Black’s queen is en prise and Black’s king is also in huge trouble, having lost castling rights. Black still has a few defensive tries, but with accurate play modern engine analysis confirms that White is winning in all lines. You can see how Greco won the game by clicking here.
Playing With The Isolated Queen’s Pawn
The Italian Opening can result in White ending up with an isolated queen’s pawn after Black plays d5 to challenge White’s e4 + d4 pawn center. A typical position is shown below.
The general advice when playing with the isolated queen’s pawn is to:
- Use the space advantage that the pawn grants.
- Play for an attack against the enemy king.
- Try to avoid trades, because the pawn will become weaker as more pieces leave the board.
Related: Improve your strategic understanding of chess with Mastering Chess Strategy, available from the USCF store.
In such positions, White commonly plays Rc1 to put pressure along the semi-open c-file. A thematic tactical trick occurred in the game Lagno vs. Batsiashvili, 2017.
White has just played Ba6 - with the point that if the bishop is captured with …bxa6, then with the b-pawn deflected, White will be able to capture Black’s knight with Rxc6 next move. The doubled a-pawns would be very weak in any endgame.
In the game, Black instead captured the isolated White d-pawn with …Nxd4 - but after White replied Bxb2, it was White who ended up with the superior pawn structure.
Note that with the loss of b7, Black had two isolated pawns on the queenside - highlighted above. White went on to win in an endgame.
Getting Started With The Italian Opening / Italian Game
Beyond what we have shown in this article, what else can you do to prepare yourself to play the Italian Opening?
First, it would be a good idea to try the Italian Opening in online blitz chess. This will help you to quickly get a feeling for the opening and the types of games it leads to. See what Black most commonly does when you play the Italian Opening. This will inform which variations deserve the most attention in your further study.
Next, we recommend watching this short video from GM Victor Bologan, which introduces some more ideas in the Italian Opening.
If you like what you see, the same instructor has a comprehensive video training course: The Popular Italian - available from the USCF store.
This course includes:
- Over 6 hours of recorded video lessons.
- Interactive training including video feedback.
- An analysis file which includes 50 model games.
For those who prefer book learning, we strongly recommend The Italian Opening For White by Justus Bargsten.
This recently-published book is up-to-date with the latest engine-checked analysis. With this as your guide, you will soon be playing the Italian Opening like a pro!
Related: The Best Books On Chess Openings For Intermediate Players.
Summary: Is The Italian Opening Right For You?
The Italian Opening could be a great addition to your White opening repertoire if you:
- Like to play simple developing moves in the opening: The Italian Opening has remained popular throughout chess history for good reason: the ideas follow opening fundamentals and are easy to understand.
- Enjoy open games: As mentioned earlier, the Italian Opening with 3. Bc4 tends to lead to more open positions than the main alternative - the Ruy Lopez with 3. Bb5. If this matches your style as a chess player, then the Italian Opening is definitely worth a look.
- Embrace the possibility of tactics appearing early: When you play open games like the Italian Opening, it is always possible that the game may spring to life quite early. Complications may arise earlier than in quieter alternative opening systems.
Does that sound like a chess opening which would suit your style with the White pieces?
If so, then try the Italian Opening today!